Friday, August 23, 2013

Rotherham-based Gala Tent, one the UK's largest importer and exporter of tents, marquees and pop up awnings, has seen its products popping up at events up and down the country this summer.

The Manvers company spotted its tents in the midst of the action at the world's largest music festival, Glastonbury, where two custom printed Gala Tents were acting as the official Fire and Ambulance Station.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) used the gazebos to provide protection from the elements for fire and ambulance staff and members of the public under their care.

Andy Newland, executive officer at DSFRS said: "We have been taking our two Gala Tents to Glastonbury for the past four years, as well using them regularly at all sorts of community safety events in the area.

"Our Gala Tent gazebos provide shelter for emergency crews at Glastonbury from the weather. They also act as a focal point to the crews as part of our 24/7 presence alongside the ambulance service."

Elsewhere, Gala Tents were used in the Greenpeace Field at Glastonbury 2013, where a 6m x 8m marquee supplied to the charity was used for their Arctic themed field. The marquee was used to host a variety of activities, from face painting and dress up to Arctic inspired performances, to promote the charity’s latest campaign "Save the Arctic."

Custom printed gazebos also proved popular with food traders on the festival circuit, helping Tio's Barbecue stand out and draw the crowds.

Closer to home, the "Picnic in the Park" event held at the Dearne Playhouse in Goldthorpe attracted a few less than the 135,000 at Glastonbury, with 500 people learning how they can work together and to get involved in their local community. It was organised by Dearne South Board and supported by Big Local, Goldthorpe Development Group and Gala Tent.

Alister Shaw, Big Local representative said: "Despite the adverse weather, which meant we ended up having to use the Playhouse as a base rather than the field outside, this was a really well attended event. It was a great chance to bring the local community together to share ideas and find out how people would like to see their area improved. We would like to thank Gala Tent for the loan of their gazebos, which helped to attract people to the venue and provided a great base for ourselves and Goldthorpe Development Group."

Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading designers and manufacturers of marquees and gazebos and has grown from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of around £7m in just over a decade. It moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.